Prototype of 1987 Nintendo Knitting Machine uncovered

31st August 2012

Here's the dilemma, while you love to knit, you've also got a passion for video gaming. If this sounds like you then chances are you'd be a big fan of the Nintendo Knitting Machine.

Back in 1987, the video games giant made a surprising decision to diversify its product ranges, moving away from the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and aiming to appeal to new audiences, such as knitters.

Howard Phillips, former Nintendo America executive who is best known as the 'Gamesmaster', recently shared a brochure from the late 1980s on his Facebook page, showing that a prototype of the mythical knitting machine did in fact exist.

There were several peripherals designed for the NES, such as the power glove and the light gun, with the Nintendo Knitting Machine designed to help people make cosy 80s-style jumpers.

The caption under the brochure photo claims: "It's not a game; not something a young girl can outgrow in three or six months or even a year.

"It's a machine that interacts with the powerful Nintendo Entertainment System to actually knit sweaters: and not just one or two patterns but a multitude of different and unique designs."

As well as talking excitedly about the new addition, the Nintendo description also made sure to mention "that no other video game system offers anything even remotely similar", however, this is probably sensible, seeing as how the prototype never actually made it into the shops.

While handknitters may have experienced using knitting machines, it's unlikely you'll have witnessed anything quite like the Nintendo Knitting Machine, which attempts to turn the creation of a sweater into a game.

The idea certainly means well, however Phillips admitted that he gave a demonstration of it to the then chairman of Toys R Us, describing it as "likely one of my least genuinely enthusiastic demos".

Perhaps it's just easier to stick with handknitting for the time being then!